Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: hypernova on August 03, 2007, 10:19:12 pm
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I was just checking around, trying to find a small trackball device to use with my laptop. While my search turned up nothing I'm too keen on, I did come across something else.
Years ago, I bought a Logitech Trackman Marble FX. I loved the look of it, and it was the only trackball that was operated by the fingers instead of the thumb. Thumb operation, I was afraid, would introduce some repetitive stress injury, thus I avoided all other trackballs. Plus, the ergonomics of this thing just looked comfortable. I felt it wasn't quite designed for games, but as a general PC tracking device, I felt it was matchless, and well, I could go on, but this isn't meant as an advertisement.
Well, after finishing my search, I decided to check to see what it was worth. I was absolutely astonished to find that there were three on ebay currently going for over $80. USED! I checked some of the finished auctions. There were two auctions that sold for over $200 (used again) and another auction that ended at $280 for a new unit. Damn near $300 for a trackball that probably cost $40 retail when it was introduced or so. And even less if you caught it on sale or off ebay. And these were bidders that according to feedback, paid for the item!
Well, I've got an item to sell here soon. ;D
And with any luck, they'll reintroduce the design sometime soon again.
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Brand spanking new, the trackball actually MSRPed for a lot more than $40. I think it was closer to $100+. It did drop in price, especially when they introduced the god awful ambidextrous model, so most people probably saw it around the $40 mark. I bought it the first month it was available to the public and I still use it regularly... whenever my main PC is still functioning.
I do have to say, holy ---fudgesicle---, that thing held its price well. My poor FX is really worn down. The red switch is starting to turn gray, the logo is nearly completely rubbed off and I've had to rebuild the plastic around the main microswitch holder.
Another one of Logitech's winners was the original (AFAIK it was original) NewTouch split keyboard. I've used mine for so long that some of the key letters are starting to disappear.
When Microsoft redesigned their Natural keyboard with the craptastic gay 3x2 Home key arrangement, it was like having someone cut off your hand. Logitech introduced the split NewTouch with the correct 2x3 Home key arrangement and people like me would beat the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- out of anybody who got in our way. Too bad Logitech ---fouled up beyond all recognition--- up and joined all the brain dead manufacturers with the 3x2 arrangement. Anyhow, I digress. Last time I checked, if you're lucky enough to find the Logitech NewTouch split keyboard with its 2x3 Home key arrangment and mouse pad it still sells pretty close to retail, around $120+ or so. I wanted to buy a second keyboard and hack it with a USB/BlueTooth controller but I didn't want to lose my keyboard in case it went South. (I screwed something up the last time I did some repairs and I botched the mousepad. :cry: Hopefully it's just a simple lose wire.)
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When Microsoft redesigned their Natural keyboard with the craptastic gay 3x2 Home key arrangement, it was like having someone cut off your hand.
You might like to know that Microsoft redesigned their keyboards since then and now have the 2x3 arrangement again (or at least some of them do).
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I have that TB. I thought about cutting it up to make a TB for my CP, but when I tried to play MAME games with it I found it doesn't do well with fast spins. I used a TB I picked up for $1 at a PC recycling place instead. I have always liked that TB, I just wasn't using it. I suppose if it doesn't end up on a computer of mine soon I could sell it and buy a Happ or Betson for my cab, hell I could even get an ElectricIce for that price.
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Actually while we're discussing this TB, does anybody know of some good drivers for it for XP, when I purchased it I was running 98, maybe even 95 so the only drivers I have don't work. It works as a pointer and 2 buttons, but I would love the use of all buttons for CAD.
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No kidding...I think I have one somewhere.
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To my knowledge, Mouseware 9.79.1 is the last update to the driver package for this trackball.
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Sell it quick... I held on to my original Act Labs gun when prices went crazy. Now its back to not being worth anything.
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cool, I think I have one of those NIB sitting around somewhere. I prefer the trackman marble though, which is the logitech thumb trackball. I've used one for 8 years (or more) and love it. No issues with repetitive motion, and I work at a computer all day, as well as play some casual games a few times a month.
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My brother uses that thing every day. There's no way he'd sell it though.